Albert Pedrosa

Bio: Albert Pedrosa is an academic researcher from Autonomous University of Barcelona. The author has contributed to research in topics: Prison & Imprisonment. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 8 publications receiving 14 citations.

Does the Experience of Imprisonment Affect Optimism About Reentry

Abstract: Desistance research has linked prison inmate expectations with positive outcomes after release, but very little research addresses what makes them optimistic about their future. Using data from a r...

Discrimina el Código Penal español a las mujeres

Abstract: espanolLos datos oficiales muestran que en el contexto espanol se da una realidad hasta ahora poco conocida: las mujeres reciben proporcionalmente mas penas de prision que los hombres. El objetivo de este articulo es tratar de conocer si esto se debe a un fenomeno de discriminacion directa, en tanto ciertos colectivos de mujeres son tratados mas punitivamente; o a un fenomeno de discriminacion indirecta, si el Codigo Penal castiga mas duramente los delitos cometidos por las mujeres. Para comprobar esto se han analizado datos oficiales sobre imposicion de penas y delincuencia conocida para el periodo 2007-15. Los resultados muestran que el alto porcentaje de penas de prision impuestas a mujeres puede deberse a la poca libertad que otorga el Codigo Penal para imponer penas alternativas para delitos leves, especialmente en relacion a la delincuencia patrimonial, mas cometida por las mujeres, apoyando la existencia de un fenomeno de discriminacion indirecta. EnglishOfficial data shows a previously little-known reality in the Spanish context: women receive proportionally more prison sentences than men. The aim of this paper is to determine if this difference is caused by a phenomenon of direct discrimination, if judges treat certain groups of women more harshly, or by indirect discrimination, if the Penal Code is more punitive to women’s offenses. Official statistics of men’s and women’s convictions and offenses are analyzed for the period 2007-2015. Results indicate that the higher proportion of prison sentences imposed on women could be a consequence of the lack of alternative sentences to prison in the Penal Code for minor offenses, especially for property crimes which are more frequently committed by women. Thus supporting the hypothesis of the existence of a phenomenon of indirect discrimination in the case of women.

Abriendo ventanas virtuales en los muros de la prisión

Abstract: espanolLa COVID-19 ha supuesto un reto para las prisiones de todo el mundo. Como en otros paises, una de las medidas adoptadas en Espana fue suspender las visitas de familiares y otros allegados para prevenir el contagio en el interior de las prisiones. Esta medida ha evidenciado la falta de digitalizacion de las prisiones espanolas, lo que ha sido un obstaculo a la hora de compensar la suspension de las visitas con comunicaciones telematicas. El objetivo de este articulo es reflexionar sobre el escaso nivel de digitalizacion de las prisiones espanolas a proposito de la situacion generada por la COVID-19. Para ello, partimos de la legislacion penitenciaria en materia de comunicaciones, constatando que, actualmente, no existe una regulacion adecuada que permita el uso de la tecnologia para un contacto con el exterior mas normalizado, siendo las visitas, las llamadas telefonicas y las cartas los unicos metodos disponibles. Posteriormente, repasamos las medidas adoptadas por la Administracion penitenciaria espanola durante el estado de alarma causado por la pandemia, mostrando los obstaculos que han tenido las personas presas y sus familiares. A continuacion, exponemos algunos de los argumentos que explican la resistencia a la digitalizacion de la Administracion penitenciaria, centrados principalmente en la cuestion de la seguridad. Por ultimo, defendemos la digitalizacion de las prisiones, considerando que esta puede contribuir a la reinsercion de las personas presas, a la humanidad de la pena y a la seguridad de los centros. EnglishCOVID-19’s arrival has been a challenge for prisons around the world. As in other countries, one of the measures adopted in Spain was the cancellation of visits by relatives and other close friends to prevent the spread of the virus inside prisons. This measure has evidenced the lack of technology in Spanish prisons, as they have struggled to offer visits through telematic communications as compensation for the supervised visits. The main objective of this article is to reflect on the low level of technology in Spanish prisons regarding the situation generated by COVID-19. With this aim, we start by describing the prison legislation on communications, establishing that, nowadays, there is no adequate regulation that allows the use of technology for a more normalised contact with the outside, being visits, telephone calls, and letters the only methods available. Subsequently, we review the measures adopted by the Spanish prison administration during the state of alarm caused by the pandemic, showing the obstacles that prisoners and their families have faced. Next, we present some of the arguments that explain the resistance to digitisation exerted by the prison administration, mainly focused on the issue of security. Finally, we defend the adoption of new technology by prisons, considering that it can contribute to the reintegration of prisoners, increasing punishment’s humanity, without becoming a risk to their safety. catalaLa COVID-19 ha suposat un repte per les presons d’arreu. Com en altres paisos, una de les mesures adoptades a Espanya va ser suspendre les visites de familiars i coneguts per tal de prevenir el contagi a l'interior de les presons. Aquesta mesura ha evidenciat la falta de digitalitzacio de les presons espanyoles, la qual ha estat un obstacle a l'hora de compensar la suspensio de les visites amb comunicacions telematiques. L'objectiu d'aquest article es reflexionar sobre l'escas nivell de digitalitzacio de les presons espanyoles arrel de la situacio generada per la COVID-19. Per a aixo, partim de la legislacio penitenciaria en materia de comunicacions, establint que, actualment, no existeix una regulacio adequada que permeti utilitzar la tecnologia per a un contacte amb l'exterior mes normalitzat, sent les visites, les trucades telefoniques i les cartes els unics metodes disponibles. Posteriorment, repassem les mesures adoptades per l'Administracio penitenciaria espanyola durant l'estat d'alarma causat per la pandemia, mostrant els obstacles que han tingut les persones preses i els seus familiars. A continuacio, exposem alguns dels arguments que expliquen la resistencia a la digitalitzacio de l'Administracio penitenciaria, centrats principalment en la questio de la seguretat. Finalment, defensem la digitalitzacio de les presons, considerant que aquesta pot contribuir a la reinsercio de les persones preses, a la humanitat de la pena i a la seguretat dels centres.

Cárcel y familiarismo: ¿Usamos a las familias como agencias de reinserción?

Abstract: Generally, the analysis of punishment and the effects of imprisonment has only focused on offenders, leaving families in the background without paying attention to the negative effects that prison entails for them. However, some national and international studies have highlighted how families are a key agent in reentry, becoming the main responsible for receiving and supporting people who is released from prison. Although in the Spanish context there are few studies that have focused on the relationship between family and prison, this work arise from the previous literature to propose that there are reasons to consider families as reentry agencies insofar as they are developing functions assigned to this type of institutions (housing, support and supervision). With this purpose, we offer reasons that can explain this situation, highlighting how the prison may be acting as a transmitting institution of traditional family values that characterize Spanish society. Finally, the implications and dangers of presenting families as the main agents of the reentry process are discussed, as well as the problems of transferring into families those functions that should be responsibility of the State.

¿A quién dejamos atrás? Explorando los obstáculos de la progresión penitenciaria

Abstract: espanolLa literatura criminologica ha mostrado como una salida progresiva de prision es uno de los mejores mecanismos para lograr la reinsercion. Sin embargo, los datos en el contexto espanol muestran que un alto porcentaje de personas terminan su condena directamente desde el segundo grado. Este trabajo propone, respecto la literatura anterior, que ademas de la practica penitenciaria existen dos elementos que pueden ayudarnos a entender los obstaculos para la progresion: la experiencia del encarcelamiento y la desventaja previa. Los datos utilizados provienen del proyecto “Encarcelamiento y Reincidencia”, llevado a cabo por un equipo de investigacion de la Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, a partir de cuestionarios a un total de 538 personas en la fase final de su condena en prisiones de Cataluna. Los resultados indican que la exposicion a tension durante la condena, la falta de apoyo familiar e institucional y la desventaja previa son factores que obstaculizan la progresion. EnglishResearch in Criminology has shown that an early release from prison is one of the best mechanisms to achieve reintegration. However, data from the Spanish context reveal that a high percentage of people end their sentences directly from ordinary regime. This work proposes, with respect to the previous literature, that in addition to prison practice there are two elements that can help us to understand the obstacles for a progressive release: the experience of imprisonment and previous disadvantage. Data used comes from the project "Imprisonment and Recidivism" carried out by a research team of the Universitat Autonoma of Barcelona, based from a sample of 538 questionnaires of inmates in the final period of their sentences in prisons of Catalonia. Results indicate that exposure to strain during the sentence, lack of family and institutional support and previous disadvantage are factors that difficult a progressive release from prison.

Cultures of Desistance: Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Ethnic Minorities

Abstract: CULTURES OF DESISTANCE: REHABILITATION, REINTEGRATION AND ETHNIC MINORITIES. Adam Calverley (2013) Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. 230pp. Pbk 26.99 [pounds sterling]. ISBN 978-0415623483 Adam Calverley's book is a long-due addition to the criminological literature on desistance. In the last two decades, research on desistance has extensively dissected the elements of this process of change, identifying how both structural and personal factors come into play and influence the outcomes of this life-changing process. Despite these wide investigations, the factors associated with ethnicity have been left mostly unexplored, especially in relation to UK based research. Calverley's research represents a breakthrough in this direction and it is remarkably important as it poses the basis for reflection and further research on the cultural factors which affect desistance. This book would suit anybody interested in desistance, ethnicities, resettlement, and practitioners working with ethnic minorities. This book explores the efforts to desist of a group of Indian, Bangladeshi, and Black and dual heritage males from the London boroughs of Hounslow, Tower Hamlets, and Lambeth respectively. The choice of limiting the sample to London and those ethnic groups is related to the pool of eligible participants in these boroughs. This choice reduces the possible comparisons which can be drawn across different minorities. Also, the choice of these London boroughs (as recognised by Calverley) might have affected the dynamics of desistance identified in the study, which might be affected by this social context more than ethnicity. In addition, while this research is about ethic minorities' experience of desistance, its findings are not simply restricted to those communities or naively generalised to each single ethnic minority. Calverley recognises the limitations of this research and brilliantly uses its findings for a wider reflection on the wider issues related to desistance research and the policies which must develop from it. The research steps from Calverley's PhD thesis and, with this in mind, it is hard to fault this book. Surely the research would have benefited from a wider range of nationalities, a 'control group' of white Londoners, or of persisters from the same minority groups, or even a short longitudinal design. However, it must be recognised that it would have been demanding to add anything more to the already ambitious design of this research. Thirty three in-depth semi-structured interviews with ex-offenders have been conducted, together with ten interviews with professionals working with minorities. This design has given the opportunity to start exploring desistance, and contrast them between different ethnic groups and in relation to literature. The book is a gem in relation to the theoretical coverage of the issues related to desistance and ethnicity. Calverley has succeeded in the effort to condense an extensive amount of literature in the space of a book. The book is a detailed exploration of the literature and a very thorough examination of the socio-economic, historical and sociological background of each single minority. The way Calverley writes and the structure of the chapters is very helpful in fully understanding the historical background from which these communities come from. The same detailed approach is maintained throughout the book. …

Algunos rasgos de la delincuencia en España a comienzos del siglo XXI

Abstract: Considering the unprecedented media coverage and social and political salience given to criminal justice issues in Spain, this paper intends to describe ­almost exclusively through statistical charts­ the Spanish crime situation at the beginning of this century. The main aim is to confront the dominant stereotypical presentation of Spanish criminality.

La maternidad en un centro de internamiento de menores infractores. Una revisión sociocultural de este proceso descontextualizado

Abstract: In this article, we analyze a miority within a minority, adding the variable of the matenity: offender juvenile pregnant or mothers. This group, due to its exceptionality, deserves to be studied, to clarify its contexts, meaning and to improve our work with them. For this, we will show a journey from de current regulations to the social work, ending whith some conclusions from anthropology to show the main aspects about the ma(pa)ternity, the pregnant, the labour and the upbringing inside of a prison for juvenile offenders. An institution where the sentences have to be implemented and this social process change into a fundamental cultural variable to these group as a decontextualized a new social role. With this environmental context we analyze how these cultural categories have been reinterpreted, re-signified or they have new approaches with the main aim to know another speeches and practices in the maternity sociocultural process.

En los dominios de la prisión: Distribución numérica de las penas en el Código y en la justicia penal

Abstract: Un analisis numerico y estadistico de las penas asignadas por el Codigo Penal espanol y de las penas efectivamente ejecutadas por la justicia penal espanola pone de manifiesto que la prision sigue ocupando el centro de gravedad del sistema. En efecto, la prision tiene una presencia mayoritaria en el diseno formal del codigo, donde casi tres de cada cuatro disposiciones punitivas contemplan la aplicacion de la prision como respuesta penal. Y la tiene asimismo en la realidad practica de la justicia penal, donde, tras unos anos de alternancia en el primer puesto con la pena de multa, en 2011 ocupo indiscutidamente el primer lugar. En el presente trabajo se desgranan otras cifras y datos de interes sobre la distribucion cuantitativa de las penas tanto en el Codigo Penal como en la realidad de la aplicacion de las normas penales.